Receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags.



No. 707,4!2. Patented Aug. 19, 1902 A. P. HAUSS.

RECEIVING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS FGR MAIL BAGS. (Application filed May27, 1902.

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No. 707,4l2. Patented Aug. l9, I902. A. P. HAUSS.

BECEIVHNG AND DELIVERING APPARATUS FOR MAIL BAG (Application filed May27, 1802.)

-3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

wwwmw I7 I yaw Patented Au'g. I9, 1902.

A. P. HAIISS. RECEIVING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS FOR MAIL BAGS.

(Application filed May 27, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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Nrrh STATES AUGUSTUS P. HAUSS, OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.

RECEWING AND DELlVERlNG APPARATUS FOR MAIL-BAGS SI]?ECIFICATIO1\l'forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,412, dated August 19, 1902.

Application filed May 27,1902. Serial No. 109,182. (No model.)

To to whom, it may conccrm.

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS P. HAUSS, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New Albany, in the count-y of Floyd and State ofIndiana, have invented certain Improvements in Receiving and DeliveringApparatus for Mail-Bags, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to receiving and delivering apparatus formail-bags, and is more especially an improvement upon the apparatusesshown and described in the prior patents issued to me in this line.

The primary object of my present invention is to provide thereceiving-arm of both the crane and mail-car with certain devices bywhich the mail-bag will be properly caught and firmly and securely heldwhile the train is moving at a high rate of speed.

A further object of myinvention is to provide a suspending means for themail-bag which is especially adapted for use in connection with myimproved receiving-arm.

A further object of my invention is to so improve the generalconstruction and arrangement of parts constituting my improved apparatusas to insure a perfect operation of the devices which are carried by thecar and those which are mounted upon the crane.

With the above objects in view my invention consists in the particularconstruction and combination of parts, as hereinafter fully described,and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of my invention,the parts being arranged in position for receiving and delivering themailbags. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the position of the partsafter the mail-bags have been delivered and received by the crane andmail-car, respectively. Fig. 3is an enlarged detail view of thereceiving-arm which is carried by the car. Fig. etis a horizontalsectional view through the standard of the crane. Fig. 5 is an enlargeddetail view of the suspending means for the mail-bag, one end portionthereof being in section to illustrate the construction of said device.Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the lower part of the crane.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

In carrying out my invention I employ, as heretofore, a crane which isprovided with my improved mail-bag receiving and delivering mechanismsand also provide the car with similar mechanisms, so that as the saidcar passes the crane the mail-bags will be we changed.

A designates the standard of the crane, which is braced by means of therods a and is also provided with a platform a, leading to which is aladder a and by means of this ladder and platform the delivery mechanismat the upper end of the crane may be reached. The standard or post A ispreferably cast metal, and at the upper end thereof is rigidly securedor formed integrally a head B, providing vertically-disposed parallelplates b 1), between which is pivoted an arm O,which projects beyondeach side of the standard or post and is provided at its rear end with aweight 0. Near the forward end of the arm 0 is swiveled a fiat bar d ona vertical pivot-pin c, said fiat bar forming the upper supporting meansfor the mail-bag and being hook-shaped at its outer or free end andprovided with a spring d, by which to hold the suspending means of themail-bagin engagement therewith. The pivot end of the bar d rests upon alug c and when said bar is arranged to support a mail bag it also restsintermediately upon a lug c at the outer end of the supporting-arm G.The weight a of the supporting-arm is adapted to throw the forward endof said arm upward, and this movement is accelerated by a fiat spring 0attached to the arm and adapted to engage the head or fixture B. Asecond supporting-arm E is pivoted to the standard or post at a suitabledistance below the arm 0 and is also provided with a swiveled fiat bare, having a hooked outer end, andretaining-spring e and 6 respectively,the same as the bar d,hereinbefore described. The lower supporting-armis pivoted between ears or plates a formed on the standard or post, andis adapted to swing down when not in use, while the upper supporting-armswings upward, as hereinbefore stated. These supporting-arms O and E,with the parts carried thereby, form the delivery mechanism of the craneby supporting the mail-bag through the intervention of the suspendingmeans hereinafter described.

At a suitable distance from its base the standard or post A is providedwith a vertical slot a, extending from front to rear, and in the upperportion of this slot, which is enlarged therefor, as shown, is pivotedan arm F, extending beyond the front and rear of the post or standard.The rear end of this arm is provided with a counterbalancingweightf, andat the forward end thereof are secured a pair of receiving-arms,hereinafter particularly described, the weight serving to overbalancethe forward end of the arm and parts carried thereby, so that the saidreceiving-arms will be supported in the proper horizontal plane. Thesupporting-arm F is provided with a depending plate f, which plays inthe lower portion of the slot a and in a well G, consisting of parallelguide-plates g g, bolted to the lower end of the post or standard A andto the sill-piece A, upon which said standard is mounted. The plate fand well G not only serve to brace the forward end of the supporting-armF against lateral strain, the result of the operation of catching themail-bag from the car, but also together form an abutment or buffer forsaid mail-bag and in this latter capacity relieve the receiving-arms ofthe full impact of the mailbag and suspending means therefor, which theywould receive if the said mail-bag were permitted to swing free fromsaid receiving-arms. It will be here noted that thecounterbalancing-weight f supports the arm F in a normally horizontalposition and that when a mail-bag is caught by one of the receiving-armsthe weight of said mail-bag will tilt the forward end of saidsupporting-arm downward and out of the Way, and, further, that when allthe movable parts of the crane assume the position shown in Fig. 2 theyare entirely out of the way of the passing train. The pair ofreceiving-arms which are carried at the forward end of thesupporting-arm F are located at either side of said arm, so that one orthe other will operate when the train is running in either direction,and as these receiving-arms are exactly alike a description of one willanswer as well for the other, like reference-letters being used todesignate like parts in the two devices.

Thereceiving arm or fork I-I comprises the curved guide-arms h h, whichprovide the receiving-slot h and retaining-hole 71 as is usual, and theinner end of this receiving arm or fork is shaped to fit in a socket atthe outer end of the supporting-arm F, being held] therein by bolts. Toone of the members of the fork and at the outer end of the retainingholeis pivoted a dog I, which is adapted to extend across the receiving-slotfrom one member to the other and close the retaininghole, so as to holdthe suspending means of the bag therein, said dog engaging a springcatch'6. The outer or free end of the dog enters a recess in the oppositemember of the fork, engaging said catch, while the pivot end of said dogis mounted in a recess, as shown. At the inner side of this dog andmounted in a recess therefor in the short arm or member his a trip-leverI,which is curved and pivoted centrally. The location of this trip-leveris such with relation to the dog that when the latter is swung inward,practically on a line with the inner edge of the short member of thefork, it will engage one end of the triplever and force the other endoutward into the retaining-hole, so that therefore when the mail-bag orits suspending means enters the fork and passes into the retaining-holethereof it will strike said trip-lever, and the latter will throw thedog across the opening, hold the bag in engagement with thereceiving-arm, and prevent rebound of said bag.

Having described the crane, which is located alongside the track, Ishall now describe the mechanism which is carried by the mailcar and isadapted to cooperate with the crane in receiving and deliveringmail-bags.

O designates the receiving-arm of the mailcar equipment, comprising theguide-arm 0, formed integrally with a plate 0 and shaped to provide thereceiving-slot p and retaininghole p, in which is pivoted a dog 0" andtriplever 7', similar to the corresponding parts of the receiving arm orfork H, hereinbefore described. The plate at the inner end of thereceiving-arm O is formed with a sleeve 0 by'which it is mounted on therock-bar S, and from this sleeve projects a socket 0 ,into which theoperating-handle O is fitted. The rockbar S is supported in bearings 8,attached to the jambs of the car-door, and between the sleeve of thereceiving-arm and the adjoining bearing is interposed a rubber collar5', forming a buffer to receive the jar when a bag is caught. Thereceiving-arm O is located at a convenient height from the sill of thedoor, and below the sill is located a delivery-arm T, secured to arock-bar T, supported in the bearings 10 u. The outer end of thedeliveryarm is curved to one side, as shown, and at the terminal thereofis a pivoted jaw or catch i, actuated by a spiral spring t, the said jawbeing adapted to hold the mail-bag or its supporting means in detachableengagement with the delivery-arm. On the rock-bar T, between thedelivery-arm and adjoining support, is a rubber collar to to receive theend thrust of the bar when the bag is being delivered. The rock-bars Sand T are connected by a rod 1), attached at its ends to arms projectingfrom collars mounted on said rockbars and so adjusted that when thereceiving arm is brought to substantially a horizontal position thedelivery-arm will be also moved into proper position or extended fromthe car to place the bag and its suspending means in line with thereceiving-arm of the crane, also that when the operating-handle of therock-bar S is thrown upward the receiving and delivering arms will bebrought to a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2.

The suspending means for the mail-bag consists of a flexible rod 1V,having rings to at its ends, by which it is connected to the deliveringmechanisms of the crane and car equipment and by which the bag isattached thereto. Near each end of the flexible rod is a disk a formingstops for supporting the device on the receiving-arm when it is caughtthereby, the disk being, therefore, much larger than the retaining-holesof said receiving-arms. In making up the suspending means the rod iscomposed of several strands of rope passed back and forth between therings and through them, the strands being then wrapped with leather, thedisks, preferably leather, placed over the ends and held by the leatherpieces,which are looped through the rings and riveted to the rope and tothe disks. The portion of the device between the disks is furtherwrapped with canvas to form a weai'ingsul'face, and so that when saidcanvas covering is worn it can be readily replaced at small expense. Atone end of the device is an additional ring y, carrying a snap-hook y,by which a second mail-bag may be attached to the device by placing therings at the ends of the mail-bag in engagement with said snap-hook.When only a single bag is to be attached to the suspending means justdescribed, a rope .2, having snap-hooks z .2 at each end, is first boundaround the center of the bag and the hooks snapped into engagement withthe lower ring. In placing this device in engagementwith the deliverymechanism carried by the crane the rings at the ends of the suspendingmeans are placed in engagement with the arms 0 and E, as shown in Fig.1, and in attaching same to the delivering-arm of the car equipment itis suspended from the outer end thereof, as also shown in said Fig. 1.

In the operation of the apparatus in exchanging a mail-bag from a car tothe crane, and vice versa, the parts are arranged, as shown in Fig. 1,with the mail-bag on the crane supported by the arms C and E, while themail-bag on the car is supported or suspended from the delivering-arm Tand with the receiving-arms extended, so as to strike the suspendingmeans between the disks or stops. As the car passes {the crane thereceiving-arm of the latter catches the mailbag suspended from the car,while the receiving-arm of the car also catches the mailbag which issuspended by the crane, the operator 011 the car holding the receivingand delivering devices of the car in proper position by means of thelever 0. On the other hand, the crane needs no attention after the baghas been properly suspended and the receivin g-arms brought to ahorizontal position. When the bag is delivered from the crane, the arms0 and E swing on a line with the standard or post, while thereceiving-arm, which has caught the bag from the car, swings downward.

From the foregoing it will be noted that I provide very simple andeffective means for receiving and delivering mail-bags and that by meansof the special construction of the receiving-arms, in conjunction withthe particular construction of the suspending means for themail-bags,the latter will be caught and positively held against rebound,so that there will be little or no chance of accident and no injury tothe mails. The particular construction of the crane also possessesparticular advantages that have been hereinbefore enumerated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for receiving and deliverin g mail-bags, areceiving-arm having a receiving-slot and retaining-hole, a dog adaptedto move forward across the receiving-slot, a stop for said dog, and atrip-lever located in the retaining-hole and adapted to actuate the dog,said trip-lever being operated by contact of the mail-bag therewith.

2. In an apparatus for receiving and delivering mail-bags, areceiving-arm having a receiving-slot and retaining-hole, a dog adaptedto swing outward across the receiving-slot, a slot for said dog, and acurved trip-lever pivoted to the receiving-arm in the rear part of theretaining-hole, one end of said lever being adapted to engage and throwthe dog and the other end located for contact of the mail-bag therewith,substantially as shown and described.

3. In an apparatus for receiving and delivering mail-bags, a receivingarm or fork one member of which is provided with a shoulder forming astop, a dog pivoted to the other member of the fork and adapted to beswung forward across the fork and engage the said stop, and a trip-leverfor actuating the dog, said trip-lever beingpivoted in the rear end ofthe fork and having one end in the path of the mail-bag.

4. In a receiving and delivering apparatus a dog pivoted in a recess inone member of the fork and adapted to extend across and engage a recessin the other member, and a curved trip-lever located in a recess in thefork, one end of said lever being adapted to engage the dog and theother end projected in the path of the mail-bag, so as to throw the dogwhen said projecting end is struck.

5. In a receiving and delivering apparatus standard having deliveringmeans at its upper end, a receiving-arm carrying a plate,

aforesaid plate is adapted to move, the said plates reinforcing thereceiving-arm and forming a buffer for the mail-bag.

and a well or guide-plates between which the' IIO for mail-bags,'areceiving-arm or catcher-fork,

for mail-bags, a crane, comprising a post or 6. In a receiving anddelivering apparatus for mail-bags, a crane comprising a post orstandard, a pivoted supporting-arm carrying a receiving-arm, a plateattached to said supporting-arm, and a stationary guide-plate on a linewith the aforesaid plate, the said plates reinforcing the receiving-armand forming a buifer for the mail-bag.

7. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard, an arm pivoted in the upper endthereof and weighted at its rear end, a bar swiveled to the arm andprovided with a clamping-jaw at its outer end, a second arm pivoted tothe standard below the aforesaid arm and having a bar with aclamping-jaw, an arm pivoted in a slot in the standard, said arm beingweighted at its rear end and provided with receiving-arms at its forwardend, a plate attached to the last-mentioned arm, and a stationaryguide-plate located on a line with the aforesaid plate, substantially asshown and described.

8. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination with the arm) e, of a standard or post havingdelivering.mech anism at its upper end and slotted near its lower end, asupporting-arm pivoted in said slot and carrying receiving-arms, a plateattached to said supporting-arm, and stationary guide-plates betweenwhich the aforesaid plate Work's, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard having a vertical slot therein, asupportin g-arm pivoted in said slot and weighted at its rear end, aplate attached to said supporting-arm, and stationary guide-plates forthe aforesaid plate, substantially as shown and described.

10. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard having a vertical slot therein, asupporting-arm pivoted in said slot, receivingarms at the forward end ofsaid supportingarm, a plate attached to the supporting-arm, andstationary guide-plates for the aforesaid plate, substantially as shownand described.

11. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard, a supporting-arm pivoted thereto andcarrying a receiving-arm at its forward end, and a plate attached to anddepending from said arm.

12. In areceiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard, a supporting-arm pivoted thereto, aplate attached to said supporting-arm and means for bracing the lower orfree end of said plate.

13. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard, a supporting-arm pivoted thereto, aplate attached to said supporting-arm and depending therefrom, and meansfor bracing the lower end of the plate.

14. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard, a supporting-arm pivoted thereto andweighted at its rear end, catcher-arms at the forward end of saidsupporting-arm, a plate attached to the supporting-arm below thecatcher-arms, and means for bracing the outer end of said plate.

15. In a receiving and delivering apparatus for mail-bags, thecombination, of a post or standard slotted at its lower end, asupporting-arm pivoted in said slot and weighted at its rear end,catcher-arms secured to the forward end of said supporting-arm, a plateattached to the supportingarm below the catcher-arms and bearing at itsrear end in the aforesaid slot, and guide-plates attached to the post orstandard below the aforesaid plate, and between which the lower end ofthe aforesaid plate is guided.

16. In a delivering and receiving mechanism for mail-bags, a suspendingmeans for the mail-bag, comprising a flexible rod having rings at itsends, and disk-forming stops at either side of the center of said rod.

17. A suspending means for mail-bags, comprising a rope having ringsattached to the ends thereof, disks secured to the rope at either sideof the center thereof to form stops, and a leather and canvas coveringbetween the stops, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presenceof twowitnesses.

AUGUSTUS P. HAUSS.

Witnesses:

NOBLE D. MORRIS, LAFAYETTE FREDERICK.

